Second burglary suspect caught after foot chase

Kelly Richardson, 20, of 252 W. High St., Nesquehoning, faces charges from an incident which took place on Feb. 19 at 17 N. Walnut St., Lansford. Charges of burglary and criminal conspiracy were filed by Officer Jason Helmer. Richardson was arrested and is currently in Carbon County prison.

Baker, who had a felony warrant for burglary and other charges, was picked up by Tamaqua police on Saturday evening after 6 p.m. He had fled the Burger King restaurant in Tamaqua, but was arrested after a brief foot chase. He was video arraigned before District Judge William Kissner and placed into Carbon County prison under $10,000 straight bail.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, here's what happened:

Helmer responded to a dispatch about a burglary at 8:13 p.m. Feb. 19 at 206 E. Snyder Ave. The Carbon County Communications Center had received a call from a person who reported seeing two people wearing hoodies carrying items out of a house and over a fence. they headed east on Snyder Avenue.

Helmer was turning onto Snyder from Powell Street when he saw a dark color sedan traveling toward him, quickly, and without headlights.

The car swerved to the right and stopped when Helmer activated his emergency lights. The male driver and female passenger got out, and the male ran toward the woods.

The female, identified as Richardson, was arrested before she could run.

Sgt. Jack Soberick arrived at the area of the alleged burglary, and found a rear door had been forced open at 17 N. Walnut St. He spoke with the resident, who had just arrived home and discovered items were missing, including flat screen televisions, computers, a Nintendo Wii game system, and video games.

Soberick discovered the items piled under a porch at 19 N. Walnut St.

Richardson was given her Miranda warnings and was taken to the police station.

There, she waived her warnings and agreed to give oral and written statements.

She identified the male as Marco Baker. She said Baker had asked her help to commit a robbery, and she had agreed. They went to 17 N. Walnut St.; Baker had a crowbar with him.

Richardson said she had second thoughts, and decided to leave, but returned a short while later.

Baker handed her the items over the fence, and she stacked them under the porch at 19 N. Walnut.

Both fled after being confronted by a neighbor. Helmer identified Baker through a JNET photo, and learned he had an active warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear before law enforcement authorities in another criminal matter.